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In Ryugu Palace City, the incessant buzzing of Big Mom's phone filled the air.
As Neptune prepared to answer, Jinbei intervened, asserting, "Pirate affairs are settled among pirates, Your Majesty Neptune."
Jinbei's serious demeanour commanded attention as he lifted the receiver. "This is Jinbei."
"Neptune," Big Mom's deep, imposing voice echoed through the earpiece.
"I'm Jinbei," he replied firmly.
Big Mom's tone shifted, her voice growing thinner as she teased, "Ah, Jinbei, interested in joining my crew? Join me, and I might spare Fish-Man Island. Hmm?"
"Hey, Big Mom, don't push it. Fish-Man Island belongs to the Whitebeard Pirates," Jinbei retorted firmly.
"Whitebeard? Pirates?" Big Mom's tone turned menacing. "Whitebeard's dead. Are you clinging to the past, a mere Shichibukai, begging for scraps from the government?"
"You have three days to respond, Jinbei, or I'll obliterate Fish-Man Island," Big Mom threatened before hanging up.
The pressure lingered in the room, a reminder of the New World's apex power.
Neptune remained silent, his expression grave. He knew the vast disparity between Fish-Man Island and the Four Emperors.
"Should we inform Straw Hat about this?" the minister suggested.
"No, let's keep this from Luffy," Jinbei decided, knowing the Straw Hat crew's strength but wary of the immense challenge posed by the Four Emperors.
Having witnessed the Summit War, Jinbei understood the realities behind the newspaper headlines. Though the Straw Hats were formidable, they lacked the resources and experience to challenge the Four Emperors directly.
As a loyal pirate, Jinbei hesitated to burden Luffy. Like Whitebeard before him, Luffy had sheltered Fish-Man Island without asking for anything in return. Jinbei had aided the Whitebeard Pirates covertly, including thwarting Ace's attempt to challenge Whitebeard.
With a heavy heart, Jinbei resolved to handle the situation without involving Luffy, determined to protect his captain from unnecessary strife.
"If things don't work out, I'll join Big Mom's Pirates," Jinbei declared firmly.
Neptune sighed, saying nothing more.
In the Sea Forest:
"Is that the Straw Hat kid?"
"He's truly formidable, much stronger than Jinbei's former captain."
"After all, he's a super big pirate with a bounty over 5.1 billion, surpassing even Whitebeard's."
In a vast sea route within the Sea Forest, Fishman peered at Luffy from the water, whispering among themselves.
"Who?" Luffy turned towards them, his gaze piercing.
"We're from the Sun Pirates," a mermaid emerged, sweating nervously. "Under Jinbei's command."
Luffy smiled at the sea current. "So you're Jinbei's crewmates."
"Yes, since Fisher Tiger's passing, we've followed Jinbei," Aladine explained. "With Fish-Man Island targeted by Big Mom recently, we're here to defend it."
"I vaguely recall Jinbei mentioning the Four Emperors," Luffy reminisced, the memory surfacing from a previous conversation with Neptune and Jinbei. But it seemed trivial compared to his current concerns.
"Straw Hat Boy, we have a request," Aladine began, the gravity evident in his tone.
On Coral Hill:
Luffy lay against Shirahoshi's chest, his mind elsewhere.
"Master Luffy, Jinbei is a good man," Shirahoshi murmured softly.
"I know," Luffy replied, smiling. "He's fought by my side."
"Will you invite Boss Jinbei to join us?" Shirahoshi inquired.
"Of course, I'll have him aboard, even if I have to drag him," Luffy chuckled. It wasn't the first time he'd employed such tactics, recalling how they convinced Franky to join their crew.
As Zoro and the others appeared on the hill, Luffy bid farewell to Shirahoshi, promising to return the next day.
"See you tomorrow," he grinned, leaving Shirahoshi behind. "For now, there are no more threats to hold you back."
With a wide smile, Luffy pressed down on his straw hat and leapt off Megalo's back.
Shirahoshi stood stunned, hands pressed to her chest. "Aren't there any bad guys to restrain me anymore?"
"Luffy, you're so kind," she remarked with a bright smile.
"Go home, Megalo," Shirahoshi commanded, her smile unwavering. Once terrified of the hard shell tower's darkness, now all her fears vanished with Luffy's arrival.
The rapid descent brought Luffy to Zoro and the others in no time.
"Hey, Zoro, Jinbei!" Luffy greeted loudly.
"Huh? Luffy?" Zoro turned, eyebrows raised, just as Luffy crashed down from above.
"Wait—" Zoro started, but it was too late.
A loud impact echoed as the smoke cleared, revealing Zoro at the centre of a large pit.
"I'll get you for this, you bastard," Zoro muttered through the pain.
"Sorry, Zoro," Luffy apologized sincerely.
But joyous moments pass swiftly. Three days had flown by on Fish-Man Island.
Material shopping and adventures had been had, but it was time for their journey to resume.
At the port, Neptune, Shirahoshi, and Jinbei bid Luffy farewell.
"Lord Luffy," Shirahoshi wiped away tears. Despite her newfound freedom, her tears flowed freely.
"You cry too much, Shirahoshi," Luffy teased gently. "I'm a pirate. I can't stay forever."
"But we made a promise," Shirahoshi reminded, linking her pinky with Luffy's.
"Of course, call my name if you're in trouble, and I'll come to your rescue," Luffy assured. "I never break a promise to my partner."
"Have a safe journey, Luffy," Jinbei chimed in with a smile.
"Hey, Jinbei, want to join us?" Luffy asked, leaning on the Sunny's railing.
Zoro and Sanji looked on, hopeful.
Jinbei hesitated, his gaze shifting from Luffy to his crewmates and back. "I have my own responsibilities," he declined, his smile bittersweet.
Jinbei's reluctance to join Luffy and the crew stems from his desire to shield them from facing Big Mom's crew so early in their journey. He believes that they have immense potential and need time to grow stronger before taking on such formidable opponents. Rather than burdening them with his own troubles, Jinbei opts to join Big Mom's crew himself, giving Luffy and the others the space they need to develop further.
Luffy, though seemingly unfazed, had anticipated Jinbei's decision. However, he and his crewmates, including Aladine and the Sun Pirates, stand ready for any scenario. Even if it means kidnapping Jinbei, they are prepared to act in unison.
But before Luffy can make a move, a commotion erupts in the port as a pirate ship bearing Big Mom's flag sails in. Luffy's curiosity is piqued as he observes the vibrant and colourful vessel. Two figures disembark from the ship—a man with a teacup on his head and long legs and a lion-like man wearing sunglasses.
Luffy finds the duo amusing, especially the long-legged man sipping tea from his head. However, their amusement turns to shock as they realize they've drawn the attention of the Straw Hat Crew. Tamago and Pekoms, both members of Big Mom's crew, are taken aback by the presence of Luffy and his formidable companions.
Tamago, recognizing Luffy, bows respectfully and introduces himself as a cadre of the Big Mom Pirates. Despite their initial bravado, both he and Pekoms are acutely aware of the power disparity between their crew and the Straw Hat Crew. Facing off against Luffy and his allies is a daunting prospect, one that even seasoned members of Big Mom's crew approach with caution.
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